Reviewer:
Mind Wondrin
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favoritefavorite -
June 27, 2019
Subject:
1st Kaiser NYE
After the shutting of Winterland the previous year, Graham moved his attention over the bridge for the first of five NYE parties at the Kaiser. I had the vernon_18589 AUD for many years, unaware that the start of the run is better (12/28 is a classic and the 29th is Brent's first five-star show). But this is better than some of the rumors, even as the bottom show of the run (the focus was on the party), and it has a 1½hr third set. Openers were Richard Olson and The Flying Karamozov Brothers (not the novel/not a music group). The next show was also in Oakland, two weeks later, which also started Straw>Franks, and also guested Cippolina.
First Set. Bobby does the "play for Clive" lyrics for Jack Straw, but he also ad-libs another lyric with "Yuba City, Northern Cheyenne from sea to shining sea" [Bobby probably didn't know that's a real American tribe]. Then they are all warmed-up for Franklin's: there's much here to like, in and around a few flubs. The rest is average '79 until a sparkling Looks Like Rain that suggests "Donna who?". The Alabama Getaway has Jer and Brent trading solos back and forth into insanity! The longest to date, note that Jer slips back into earlier, sensical lyric "turn 'round and leave, walk away". This song was now peaking, with 3 out of 3 aces on this run (though the 26th may be best). Promised Land follows: nice one-two punch.
Second Set. For the countdown to 1980, a "DeaD Head" delivery truck drove onto the floor, parting the crowd, the deliverymen flinging roses. There was an explosion in the back and then Graham lifted out of the truck in a giant butterfly suit with lightning skull wings, flew to the stage, and while landing on it was captured by two insect chasers with a giant net. While the balloons fall from the ceiling, the boys launch the first Sugar Magnolia of '80 (and mostly trainwreck on flubs and Bobby losing his voice). China Cat>Rider becomes magical as it goes. Jer plays like he's taking apart somebody else's kitchen. That's about it for X factor, though Ship eventually tightens. By Saint Bobby's voice is cracking.
Third Set. Althea is vampy, but Minglewood has a fine section @6:35>7:10 (T for NYC). Uncle John's has a great tempo. Then, not wanting to relinquish to the drummers just yet, Jer leads into a long UJB jam. Hmm, a 15½min UJB - I can't think of a longer one. It's a must-hear-once, for sure. There's no Space per se; Jer comes out and doodles very plainly over plainer Billy bongos. Cippolina comes out 5min into Not Fade. His solo is audible on the MTX - not so much in the vid (and it's the best part). Stella is a wash but Sunshine Daydream ain't half bad with the 3-guitar lineup. Finally @3am people file out.
1st Set: B-
2nd Set: C-
3rd Set: C-
Overall = 2⅓ stars
Highlights:
Alabama Getaway>Promised Land - peaking & 1-2 punch
SOURCES: Usually up on YouTube, from an early B&W videotape, with a much better mix than the SBDs and AUDs. The vid has cuts in the beginnings of LLR, Althea, Alabama, Samson & Ship; in the middle of Promised Land; and in the end of Deal and Drums. The scotton-miller_88768 is the best AUD. The tobin_126184 matrix is superior to the hissy, ill-pitched, muddy SBDs, and is pitch-corrected (though heavy on the mids).